Chemical transformation of polyurethane into valuable polymers.

ABSTRACT: Polyurethanes are an important class of synthetic polymers, widely used in a variety of applications ranging from everyday items to advanced tools in societal infrastructure. Their inherent cross-linked structure imparts exceptional durability and flexibility, yet this also complicates their degradation and recycling. Here we report a heterogeneous catalytic process that combines methanolysis and hydrogenation with a CO₂/H₂ reaction medium, effectively breaking down PU waste consisting of urethane and ester bonds into valuable intermediates like aromatic diamines and lactones. These intermediates are then converted into functional polymers: polyimide (PI), noted for its exceptional thermal and electrical insulation, and polylactone (P(BL-co-CL)), a biodegradabl

SUBMITTER: Sun B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11697979 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature